You'll be less likely to binge out on food and alcohol.

8. Talk to friends you know who are sober and don't drink, and ask for tips on how they do it.

9. If you live alone, don't keep alcohol in your house.

If alcohol is not in your house, it will be at least harder to get.

10. If you had a favorite chair where you always drank, consider giving yourself a holiday present and replace chair, or change covering.

The same goes if you had a favorite drinking glass. Get rid of old reminders.

Bottom line: Plan for a sober holiday, and follow through with all supports you can get. Remember, there are people who do not drink alcohol at holiday functions -- you probably weren't aware of them! People are more concerned about what's in their glass, than in what's in yours.

6. Have a bite to eat before you go if it's a later meeting, and you would have to delay your lunch or dinner.

No reason to bedistracted by hunger pangs.

7. If you are a smoker and find it very difficult to go without acigarette, you can make it easier by choosing a "smoking" meeting where, not surprisingly, smoking is allowed during meeting,ashtrays are provided, and you won't go into a nicotine fit.

8. Try to arrive a few minutes before meeting is scheduledto begin.

Most AA members are very friendly and glad to greet "newcomers." They're there for same reason you are -- alcohol was a problemand they want to stop and stay stopped.

9. Realize that you are not required to say anything at all at a meeting. It's all up to you to say as much or as little as you wish. Youdon't even have to give your name if you don't want to.

10. Take it a day at a time, or five minutes at a time.

And allow yourself to enjoy Fellowship.